Skip to content
Call: 303-993-7910400 S. McCaslin Blvd, Suite 210, Louisville, Colorado 80027 | Get DirectionsFor Practitioners
Facebook page opens in new windowTwitter page opens in new windowPinterest page opens in new windowInstagram page opens in new windowYouTube page opens in new windowLinkedin page opens in new windowRss page opens in new window
Dr. Jill Carnahan, MD
Your Functional Medicine Expert!
Dr. Jill Carnahan, MDDr. Jill Carnahan, MD

Flatiron Functional Medicine Newsletter

Join Dr. Jills' health community today and receive health tips, recipes and recommended products for a healthier you!
Join today and get Dr. Jill's Paleo-licious Snack Ideas for free! We promise never to share your email with anyone.
  • HOME
  • MY STORY
  • ABOUT
    • About Us
    • What is Functional Medicine?
    • Mission Statement
    • Meet Dr. Jill C. Carnahan, MD, ABIHM, IFMCP
    • Meet Crystal Crowley, MS, PA-C, IFMCP
    • Meet The Team
    • Location
    • Fees
    • FAQs
    • Forms
    • Testimonials
    • For Practitioners
  • SERVICES
    • Services
    • Functional Medicine Consulting with Dr. Jill
    • Functional Medicine Consultation with Crystal Crowley, MS, PA-C, IFMCP
    • Naturopathic Consulting with Dr. Nicole
    • Massage Therapy with Rene
    • Nutritional Consulting with Judy
    • Nutritional Consulting with Megan
    • Chiropractic Care with Dr. JoEllen
    • Nutrition therapy and Private Yoga with Haley
    • Infrared Sauna Detox Therapy
    • IV Infusion Therapy
  • RECIPES
  • PRESS KIT
  • EVENTS
  • VIDEO/AUDIO
  • BLOG
    • Dr. Jill’s Blog
    • Dr. Jill’s Recipes
    • Dr. Jill’s Facebook
    • Dr. Jill’s Instagram
    • Dr. Jill on LinkedIn
    • Flatiron Functional Medicine on LinkedIn
  • ONLINE STORE
    • Online Store
    • Products We Love
  • CONTACT
  • HOME
  • MY STORY
  • ABOUT
    • About Us
    • What is Functional Medicine?
    • Mission Statement
    • Meet Dr. Jill C. Carnahan, MD, ABIHM, IFMCP
    • Meet Crystal Crowley, MS, PA-C, IFMCP
    • Meet The Team
    • Location
    • Fees
    • FAQs
    • Forms
    • Testimonials
    • For Practitioners
  • SERVICES
    • Services
    • Functional Medicine Consulting with Dr. Jill
    • Functional Medicine Consultation with Crystal Crowley, MS, PA-C, IFMCP
    • Naturopathic Consulting with Dr. Nicole
    • Massage Therapy with Rene
    • Nutritional Consulting with Judy
    • Nutritional Consulting with Megan
    • Chiropractic Care with Dr. JoEllen
    • Nutrition therapy and Private Yoga with Haley
    • Infrared Sauna Detox Therapy
    • IV Infusion Therapy
  • RECIPES
  • PRESS KIT
  • EVENTS
  • VIDEO/AUDIO
  • BLOG
    • Dr. Jill’s Blog
    • Dr. Jill’s Recipes
    • Dr. Jill’s Facebook
    • Dr. Jill’s Instagram
    • Dr. Jill on LinkedIn
    • Flatiron Functional Medicine on LinkedIn
  • ONLINE STORE
    • Online Store
    • Products We Love
  • CONTACT

Magnesium Deficiency: Is it Affecting Your Health?

You are here:
  1. Home
  2. Adrenal Health
  3. Magnesium Deficiency: Is it Affecting…
Magnesium Deficiency
According to an article on Magnesium Deficiency by researchers Ismail et al*, there is great evidence that many people may be deficient in this much needed mineral and not even know it!

Magnesium deficiency was found to be associated with increased prevalence and risk in 11 major health conditions. In 68 of the reviewed studies, magnesium deficiency was found to predict adverse events, and a decreased risk of pathology was noted when supplementation or treatment was instituted.

Furthermore…

  • There has been a gradual decline of dietary magnesium in the United States, from a high of 500 mg/day at the turn of the century to barely 175–225 mg/day today.
  • The National Academy of Sciences has determined that most American men obtain about 80 percent of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) and women average only 70 percent.
  • Most magnesium researchers find that the RDA is inadequate to prevent magnesium deficiency, making the above statistics of even more concern.

Magnesium deficiency is involved in all of the following conditions and functions:

  1. Anxiety and panic attacks: Magnesium normally helps keep adrenal stress hormones under control.
  2. Asthma: Both histamine production and bronchial spasms increase with magnesium deficiency.
  3. Blood clots: Magnesium has an important role to play in preventing blood clots and keeping the blood thin—without any side effects.
  4. Bowel disease: Magnesium deficiency slows down the bowel, causing constipation, which could lead to toxicity and malabsorption of nutrients as well as colitis.
  5. Cystitis: Bladder spasms are worsened by magnesium deficiency.
  6. Depression: Serotonin, which elevates mood, is dependent on magnesium. A magnesium-deficient brain is also more susceptible to allergens, foreign substances that in rare instances can cause symptoms similar to mental illness.
  7. Detoxification: Magnesium is crucial for the removal of toxic substances and heavy metals such as aluminum and lead from the body.
  8. Diabetes: Magnesium enhances insulin secretion, facilitating sugar metabolism. Without magnesium, insulin is not able to transfer glucose into cells. Glucose and insulin build up in the blood, causing various types of tissue damage.
  9. Fatigue: Magnesium-deficient patients commonly experience fatigue because dozens of enzyme systems are underfunctioning. An early symptom of magnesium deficiency is fatigue.
  10. Heart disease: Magnesium deficiency is common in people with heart disease. Magnesium is administered in hospitals for acute myocardial infarction and cardiac arrhythmia. Like any other muscle, the heart requires magnesium. Magnesium is also used to treat angina, or chest pain.
  11. Hypertension: With insufficient magnesium, blood vessels may go into spasm and cholesterol may rise, both of which lead to blood pressure problems.
  12. Hypoglycemia: Magnesium keeps insulin under control; without magnesium, episodes of low blood sugar can result.
  13. Insomnia: Sleep-regulating melatonin production is disturbed without sufficient magnesium.
  14. Kidney disease: Magnesium deficiency contributes to atherosclerotic kidney failure. Magnesium deficiency creates abnormal lipid levels and worsening blood sugar control in kidney transplant patients.
  15. Migraine: Serotonin balance is magnesium-dependent. Deficiency of serotonin can result in migraine headaches and depression.
  16. Musculoskeletal conditions: Fibrositis, fibromyalgia, muscle spasms, eye twitches, cramps, and chronic neck and back pain may be caused by magnesium deficiency and can be relieved with magnesium supplements.
  17. Nerve problems: Magnesium alleviates peripheral nerve disturbances throughout the body, such as headaches, muscle contractions, gastrointestinal spasms, and calf, foot, and toe cramps. It is also used in treating the central nervous system symptoms of vertigo and confusion.
  18. Obstetrical and Gynecological problems: Magnesium helps prevent premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea (cramping pain during menses), is important in the treatment of infertility, and alleviates premature contractions, preeclampsia, and eclampsia in pregnancy. Intravenous magnesium is given in obstetrical wards for pregnancy-induced hypertension and to lessen the risk of cerebral palsy and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Magnesium should be a required supplement for pregnant women.
  19. Osteoporosis: Use of calcium with vitamin D to enhance calcium absorption without a balancing amount of magnesium causes further magnesium deficiency, which triggers a cascade of events leading to bone loss.
  20. Raynaud’s Syndrome: Magnesium helps relax the spastic blood vessels that cause pain and numbness of the fingers.
  21. Tooth decay: Magnesium deficiency causes an unhealthy balance of phosphorus and calcium in saliva, which damages teeth.

*Ismail Y, Ismail AA, Ismail AA. The underestimated problem of using serum magnesium measurements to exclude magnesium deficiency in adults; a health warning is needed for “normal” results. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2010;48(3):323-327.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The product mentioned in this article are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.   The information in this article is not intended to replace any recommendations or relationship with your physician.  Please review references sited at end of article for scientific support of any claims made.

Categories: Adrenal Health, Allergies, Autoimmune Health, Gut HealthBy Dr. Jill C. Carnahan, MD, ABIHM, IFMCPJune 8, 201011 Comments
Tags: benefits of magnesiumfoods with magnesiumhealth benefitsmagnesiummagnesium deficiencymagnesium deficiency symptomsmagnesium healthsupplements
Share this post
Share on FacebookShare on Facebook TweetShare on Twitter Pin itShare on Pinterest Share on WhatsAppShare on WhatsApp Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

Author: Dr. Jill C. Carnahan, MD, ABIHM, IFMCP

https://www.jillcarnahan.com/

Dr. Jill is Your Functional Medicine Expert! She uses functional medicine to help you find answers to the cause of your illness and addresses the biochemical imbalances that may be making you feel ill. She'll help you search for underlying triggers contributing to your illness through cutting edge lab testing and tailor the intervention to your specific needs as an individual. She may use diet, supplements, lifestyle changes or medication to treat your illness but will seek the most gentle way to help your body restore balance along with the least invasive treatment possible. Dr. Jill is a functional medicine expert consultant and treats environmental and mold-related illness as well

Post navigation

PreviousPrevious post:Five Tips for a Healthy Heart!NextNext post:10 Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy

Related posts

Butyrate
Butyrate: The Health Benefits of This Mighty Molecule and How to Get More of It
May 20, 2022
Trimethylamine
Trimethylamine N-Oxide (TMAO): How Does This Molecule Fit Into Your Health and Diet?
April 1, 2022
alkaline phosphatase, liver enzymes
Low Alkaline Phosphatase? What Causes This Deficiency and How to Restore Balance
March 31, 2022
Mycobacterium
How Mycobacterium Might Contribute To Your Inflammatory Bowel Disease
March 18, 2022
IBS and Gut Microbiome
Irritable Bowel Syndrome and the Gut Microbiome: The Scoop on This Fascinating Link
February 24, 2022
Akkermansia Muciniphila
Akkermansia Muciniphila: How This Powerful Probiotic Can Boost Your Health
December 9, 2021

11 Comments

  1. Rena says:
    June 10, 2010 at 5:01 am

    I took magnesium this pregnancy & delivered a full term baby! Thanks for the great post, makes me want to go take my magnesium!

    Reply
  2. Denise says:
    August 27, 2015 at 1:31 pm

    What is the best form to magnesium to take?

    Reply
    • Jill Carnahan, MD says:
      August 27, 2015 at 9:45 pm

      Hi Denise, my favorite is Xymogen OptiMag Neuro powder – you can order from manufacturer with code# DrJill and my last name: Carnahan.
      Warmly
      Dr Jill

      Reply
  3. Lauren says:
    December 10, 2015 at 8:23 am

    I was talking xymogen optimag125. At first I thought it was helping my body aches and cramps but then thought it may be making me jittery and anxious so ok off of now. I already know I have zero seratonin production. Would you still recommend the powder mentioned above?

    Reply
    • Jill Carnahan, MD says:
      December 11, 2015 at 7:16 am

      You might try adding 5-hydroxytryptophan 150mg at bedtime to the magnesium. IF that magnesium makes you jittery (which is uncommon) try Thorne Magnesium Citramate. Order from Thorne direct using code HCP1004064

      Reply
  4. Squirrel PDX says:
    November 20, 2016 at 9:00 pm

    Hi, do you know if you can take the type of magnesium (l-threonate) that is in optimag neuro while pregnant??

    Reply
    • Jill Carnahan, MD says:
      November 21, 2016 at 6:24 am

      Yes, Magnesium should be safe during pregnancy but always check with your doctor first.

      Reply
  5. janice hepburn says:
    August 18, 2017 at 6:34 am

    hi
    going thu post menpause, sweat thur out the day, no engey,is optimag good to take?

    Reply
    • Jill Carnahan, MD says:
      August 18, 2017 at 5:31 pm

      Hi Janice,
      Optimag Neuro would be excellent. Call Amy at 303-993-7910 if you want to order.
      Warmly
      Dr Jill

      Reply
  6. Arlene says:
    February 14, 2019 at 3:30 pm

    Hi Jill:

    I am SO confused about what Mg+ to take. I have hypertension, and am looking for natural supplements to dilate vessels. For HTN, some like glycinate (is bi-glycinate the same), some like taurate. I read taurine (you can buy it alone or with Mg+) was a dilator, but also read there was a study that said taurine increased BP in women. I am also interested in increasing Nitric Oxide for better BP control. I read L-arginine will cause cold sores (I can be prone). Is L-citrulline another option or do have any other ideas for increaing NO. Id like to increase my glutathione, but understand that some ppl cannot tolerate it well. Is NAC the best option for a precursor? Thx SO much Jill 🙂

    Reply
    • Jill Carnahan, MD says:
      February 15, 2019 at 8:47 am

      HI Arlene, you might try magnesium glycinate instead.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Post comment

Search
Dr. Jill
Dr. Jill will help you search for underlying triggers contributing to your illness through cutting edge lab testing and tailor the intervention to your specific needs as an individual.
  • Address:
    400 S. McCaslin Blvd, Suite 210, Louisville, Colorado 80027
  • Get Directions
  • Phone:
    (303) 993-7910
  • Fax:
    (303) 993-4674
  • Specialty
    Functional Medicine Expert Trained in Family Medicine Board Certified Trained in Integrative Holistic Medicine

Find us on:

Facebook page opens in new windowTwitter page opens in new windowYouTube page opens in new windowRss page opens in new windowLinkedin page opens in new windowPinterest page opens in new windowInstagram page opens in new window
Testimonials

I certainly understand how Dr. Jill got so popular! Love watching her very interesting videos on the site and have signed up for the newsletter. She exudes such an air of competence, authenticity, intelligence and humility!

Karin
Karin

Good day Jill, you Motivated me very much. In the Last years, I prepared to become a registered German Naturopath (Heilpraktiker). The webinars of Functional Medicine Practitioners I attended as often as I could. Best wishes from Europe.

Norbert
Norbert

In my many years and many experiences with doctors… you guys have them beat, hands down. You guys are great.

Jessica Hull
Jessica Hull

I just wanted to thank Dr. Carnahan and all the staff for a wonderful visit. What a great experience from start to finish. Of course, Dr. Carnahan is the icing on the cake! (Hmmm …need a healthier analogy) Anyway, I’m feeling excited optimistic, and hopeful after all these years of being sick. Again my thanks and blessings to you all. Warmly, Roberta

Roberta
Roberta

I just wanted to send a quick thank you for your time and advice today. I am so appreciative and I feel hopeful that the plan we have can really help me. I’ve been sick for a long time and recently I’ve been rather discouraged with where I’m at with my health. I believe that God has allowed our paths to cross and that He is going to use you help restore my body to health. Thank you for giving me hope. Blessings, Kara

Kara
Kara

I wanted to let you know you did an outstanding job at this past weekend at the IFM {Reversing Cognitive Decline} conference. I appreciate you sharing your personal health journey. You are a true inspiration!

Ronald Grisanti
Dr. Ronald GrisantiBoard Certified Chiropractic Orthopedist
Facebook
Jill Carnahan, MD
Functional Medicine Newsletter
Join Dr. Jills' health community today and receive health tips, recipes and recommended products for a healthier you!
Join today and get Dr. Jill's Paleo-licious Snack Ideas for free! We promise never to share your email with anyone.
Dr. Jill
Dr. Jill will help you search for underlying triggers contributing to your illness through cutting edge lab testing and tailor the intervention to your specific needs as an individual.
  • Address:
    400 S. McCaslin Blvd, Suite 210, Louisville, Colorado 80027
  • Phone:
    (303) 993-7910
  • Fax:
    (303) 993-4674

Find us on:

Facebook page opens in new windowTwitter page opens in new windowYouTube page opens in new windowRss page opens in new windowLinkedin page opens in new windowPinterest page opens in new windowInstagram page opens in new window
Latest Tweets
  • Jim LaValle : Dr. Jill LIVE! Interview https://t.co/6FlSnwwKiD via @FacebookWatch10 days ago
  • Erin Pheil: Dr. Jill LIVE! Interview https://t.co/tIh4qer14V via @FacebookWatch10 days ago
  • Hope for MOLD: Dr. Jill LIVE! Interview https://t.co/2mvyZeC0o4 via @FacebookWatch15 days ago
Facebook
Jill Carnahan, MD
Dr. Jill Carnahan, MD

© 2022 Jill Carnahan. All Rights Reserved | Site by Yakadanda  | FAQS | Disclaimer | Financial Policy | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions

| Dr. Jill works as a functional medicine consultant in conjunction with your current health care team and is not considered a replacement for your primary care physician. She requires all new patients to have a primary care physician to cover emergencies and routine care and screening.

Flatiron Functional Medicine Newsletter
Join Dr. Jills' health community today and receive health tips, recipes and recommended products for a healthier you!
Join today and get Dr. Jill's Paleo-licious Snack Ideas for free! We promise never to share your email with anyone.
Flatiron Functional Medicine Newsletter
Thanks for Joining Me in the Microbiome Summit. Get Your Free Download Here
Join new and get your free copy of Paleolicious Snack Ideas. We promise never to share your email with anyone.
Flatiron Functional Medicine Newsletter
Join Dr. Jills' health community today and get SEVEN FREE health downloads
Join today and get Dr. Jill's Paleo-licious Snack Ideas for free! We promise never to share your email with anyone.
Functional Medicine Newsletter
Join Dr. Jills' health community today and receive health tips, recipes and recommended products for a healthier you!
Join today and get Dr. Jill's Paleo-licious Snack Ideas for free! We promise never to share your email with anyone.
Flatiron Functional Medicine Newsletter
Join Dr. Jills' health community today and receive health tips, recipes and recommended products for a healthier you!
Join today and get Dr. Jill's Paleo-licious Snack Ideas for free! We promise never to share your email with anyone.
Flatiron Functional Medicine Holiday Giveaway
Enter now to win your free Berkey Water Filtration Sysyem (my personal favorite).
We promise never to share your email with anyone.
RESOLVE YOUR MOLD EXPOSURE SYMPTOMS
Dr. Jill's long-awaited Miracle Mold Detox Box is finally here. This handcrafted and researched bundle includes all of the crucial pieces you need to release and flush out toxins in 30 days.
SHOP NOW